The Race Doctor

Live presentations not only examine the important place that diversity holds in our culture through the power of mainstream movies. Using Hollywood as a guide, sessions explore the mass market appeal that dictates the formulaic nature of mainstream movies and in turn, their possible reflection of societal relations. After processing several pre-selected and provocative media clips, the audience then discusses how minority images consequently are also formulaic within mainstream movies and will learn the six common archetypes, or character patterns that encompass virtually all non-White characters in mainstream movies. With the archetypes as the analytical foundation, I finally engage the audience in an interactive forum about various image patterns and their ultimate impact while using pre-edited clips from contemporary mainstream movies as fodder for discussion.

Frederick W. Gooding, Jr. is an Assistant Professor within the Honors College at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. A trained historian, Gooding most critically analyzes race within mainstream media. As such, Gooding’s most well-known work thus far is "You Mean, There’s RACE in My Movie? The Complete Guide to Understanding Race in Mainstream Hollywood." Also known as “The Race Doctor,” his trademark is that he dons a white lab coat while walking his audiences through an engaging, entertaining and educational methodology to better understand and expose how everyday racial patterns appear benign on the surface, but indeed have problematic historical roots. Whether it be keynote, workshop, lecture or seminar, his analysis will “break it down like an enzyme” and virtually guarantees that you will NEVER see mainstream media the same way again! His next book, "American Dream Deferred" about the growth and struggles of black federal workers in the postwar era, will be released in December 2018.

Serviceable projector and sound system will suffice; dry erase board or easel is a bonus.